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forklift battery 12-85-13 for off grid

August 23rd, 2010, 15:47

No more sam club batteries for me! your right bad idea.

What about used 12-85-13 forklift batteries 510 AH@ 6hr test or 700AH @ 20hr.
I would have to use two 24V batterys to make a 48V bank. They come with a 1 year warranty 85% capacity. There only 1000 bucks each. I can allso buy one new 24-85-13 48V battery GB Industrial battery for 4100 bucks. I am thinking of go with the used ones because everyone say I will be hard on my first set of batteries?

The forklift batterie guys are telling me that the used batteries will last a easy 5 years on a off grid setup?

So dose anyone use them on here? Is it a bad Idea?

The guy at GB sayed they only last 2000 gas cycles and it dose not matter if it 80% 0r 20% doc he sayed a gas cycle is a gas cycle is there a truth to this ?

Comment

Re: forklift battery 12-85-13 for off grid

August 23rd, 2010, 18:37

Re: forklift battery 12-85-13 for off grid

I installed 2 sets of Exide Load Hogs, the first 12 yrs. ago and the second 10 yrs. ago. Both are doing fine. Neither has been abused but cycled about 20% several times a week. Both owners love their batteries and would buy them again.

Re: forklift battery 12-85-13 for off grid

From what I've read they have a bit more self discharge 1-2% a week?(month?) and they need to be equalized every month.

I beleive someone who frequents this forum has a 20 year old one and reports of 30+ year old on another forum (and survival web site here touted a 30+ year old forklift battery; http://www.survivalunlimited.com/bat...ryblunders.htm ) i couldn't find it at their web site, it's pretty homemade with menus not up dated so perhaps you can find info about them, or Email directly or call about their experiences)

There are 2 accessory items for forklift batts that could be worth investigating:
- Airlift systems. These are called by various names, basically it's a small air pump that pumps air into the bottom of each cell during the charge cycle. According to most manufacturers this can lead to a 10% improvement in charging efficiency and a reduced battery temperature (= longer life). Additionally, it negates the need to do equalisation as often because it mixes up the electrolyte during every charge cycle. Example: http://www.hoppecke.com/products/app...cks/trak_r_air

- Central filling systems. This is basically a system of tubes attached to the cells that lets you fill them from a central point, so that you don't have to add electrolyte to 24 individual cells.

I'd go with the new cells too. Unless you know the complete history of how the used batts were used, discharged and charged it'll be a gamble - and the difference in price isn't worth it.

Comment

Re: forklift battery 12-85-13 for off grid

August 24th, 2010, 5:18

Re: forklift battery 12-85-13 for off grid

So dose anyone use them on here?

I have a set of 6-100-13 Deka fork lift batteries (24 volt system 940 amp hour) that I use for my emergency backup system. They work flawlessly but do not get discharged but a few times a year. I am told in this situation it is wise to actually exercise the battery about every 4 months by drawing them down below 50% DOD and then do a full recharge. In the summers they need to be topped with water and eq'ed monthly. Their float current runs around 2-3 amps during sun hours but float is turned off at night. I do a bulk each morning for 30 minutes before the sw4024 goes into sell mode. On average it takes more than 300 watts just to maintain this battery each day. AGM's would be a better choice for my situation if money were no problem.